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US5237097A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Catalytic carbonylation process

Assignee: Millennium Petrochemicals Inc
•
Filing: 1992-12-22
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Granted: 1993-08-17
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Expires: 2012-12-22
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Abstract

Abstract A process is disclosed for the carbonylation of an organic compound selected from the group consisting of an olefin, an alcohol, an acid and an ester. In this process the organic compound is reacted with carbon monoxide in the presence of a Group VIII metal-containing catalyst. The liquid carbonylation product solution of this reaction is conveyed to a separation zone maintained at a lower total pressure than is the pressure in the reaction zone. Simultaneously with the conveyance of the liquid product solution to the separation zone is the introduction therein of a carbon monoxide-containing gaseous stream, the carbon monoxide therein contributing a partial pressure of up to 30 psia of the total pressure in said separation zone. A portion of the liquid carbonylation product solution is flashed and removed from the separation zone. The unflashed liquid carbonylation product solution is recycled back into the reaction zone.

Inventors

  • 👤 David W. Smith
  • 👤 Ronnie M. Hanes

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-31 17:08
CPC Classifications
C; C07; C07C; C07C51/00; C07C51/10; C07C51/12

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim 228 words
In a carbonylation process which includes reacting an organic compound, said organic compound selected from the group consisting of an olefin, an alcohol, an acid and an ester, with carbon monoxide in the presence of a dissolved rhodium-containing catalyst in a reaction zone maintained at a pressure in the range of between about 100 psia and about 750 psia and at a temperature in the range of between about 75° C. and about 275° C., wherein a liquid carbonylation product solution is obtained; conveying said liquid carbonylation solution to a separation zone, said separation zone maintained at a total pressure of between about 15 psia and about 45 psia and at a temperature of between about 100° C. and about 150° C., with the proviso that the total pressure and temperature in said separation zone is lower than in said reaction zone, whereby a fraction of said liquid carbonylation product flashed off from said carbonylation product solution; and recycling the unflashed off liquid carbonylation product solution into said reaction zone, the improvement which comprises feeding carbon monoxide gas, at a pressure of between about 2 psia and about 30 psia and a temperature of between about 100° C. and about 150° C., into said separation zone simultaneously with said carbonylation product solution whereby said rhodium-containing catalyst is not precipitated from said carbonylation product solution in said separation zone.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 228 words
In a carbonylation process which includes reacting an organic compound, said organic compound selected from the group consisting of an olefin, an alcohol, an acid and an ester, with carbon monoxide in the presence of a dissolved rhodium-containing catalyst in a reaction zone maintained at a pressure in the range of between about 100 psia and about 750 psia and at a temperature in the range of between about 75° C. and about 275° C., wherein a liquid carbonylation product solution is obtained; conveying said liquid carbonylation solution to a separation zone, said separation zone maintained at a total pressure of between about 15 psia and about 45 psia and at a temperature of between about 100° C. and about 150° C., with the proviso that the total pressure and temperature in said separation zone is lower than in said reaction zone, whereby a fraction of said liquid carbonylation product flashed off from said carbonylation product solution; and recycling the unflashed off liquid carbonylation product solution into said reaction zone, the improvement which comprises feeding carbon monoxide gas, at a pressure of between about 2 psia and about 30 psia and a temperature of between about 100° C. and about 150° C., into said separation zone simultaneously with said carbonylation product solution whereby said rhodium-containing catalyst is not precipitated from said carbonylation product solution in said separation zone.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 18 words
A process in accordance with claim 1 wherein said organic compound is a C 2 -C 4 olefin.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 16 words
A process in accordance with claim 2 wherein said C 2 -C 4 olefin is ethylene.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 18 words
A process in accordance with claim 1 wherein said organic compound is a C 1 -C 4 alkanol.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 16 words
A process in accordance with claim 4 wherein said C 1 -C 4 alkanol is methanol.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 22 words
A process in accordance with claim 1 wherein said organic compound is C 1 -C 4 alkyl C 2 -C 6 alkanoate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 22 words
A process in accordance with claim 7 wherein said C 1 -C 4 alkyl C 2 -C 6 alkanoate is methyl acetate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 44 words
A process in accordance with claim 1 wherein said reaction zone is maintained at a pressure in the range of between about 300 psia and about 500 psia and at a temperature in the range of between about 160° C. and about 200° C.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 44 words
A process in accordance with claim 8 wherein said reaction zone is maintained at a pressure in the range of between about 380 psia and about 420 psia and at a temperature in the range of between about 180° C. and about 190° C.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 44 words
A process in accordance with claim 1 wherein said separation zone is maintained at a pressure in the range of between about 20 psia and about 40 psia and at a temperature in the range of between about 120° C. and about 140° C.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 46 words
A process in accordance with claim 10 wherein said separation zone is maintained at a pressure in the range of between about 20 psia and about 25 psia and at a temperature in the range of between of between about 125° C. and about 135° C.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 30 words
A process in accordance with claim 1 wherein said carbon monoxide gas introduced into said separation zone contributes a partial pressure of between about 4 psia and about 28 psia.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 30 words
A process in accordance with claim 12 wherein said carbon monoxide gas introduced into said separation zone contributes a partial pressure of between about 10 psia and about 26 psia.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 27 words
A process in accordance with claim 1 wherein said carbon monoxide gas is introduced into said separation zone by being bubbled through the liquid carbonylation product solution.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 39 words
A process in accordance with claim 1 wherein said rhodium-containing catalyst is selected from the group consisting of rhodium metal, rhodium oxide, an organorhodium compound, a rhodium carbonyl complex, a rhodium carbonyl halide, rhodium nitrate and a rhodium halide.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 30 words
A process in accordance with claim 15 wherein said rhodium-containing catalyst is selected from the group consisting of rhodium metal, rhodium oxide, a rhodium halide and a rhodium carbonyl complex.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 25 words
A process in accordance with claim 16 wherein said rhodium-containing catalyst is selected from the group consisting of rhodium chloride, rhodium bromide and rhodium iodide.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 14 words
A process in accordance with claim 17 wherein said rhodium-containing catalyst is rhodium iodide.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 209 words
In a carbonylation process which includes reacting an alcohol with carbon monoxide in the presence of dissolved rhodium halide in a reaction zone maintained at a pressure in the range of between about 100 psia and about 750 psia and at a temperature in the range of between about 75° C. and about 275° C., wherein a liquid carbonylation product solution is obtained; conveying said liquid carbonylation product solution to a separation zone, said separation zone maintained at a total pressure of between about 15 psia and about 45 psia and a temperature of between about 100° C. and about 150° C., with the proviso that the total pressure and temperature in said separation zone is lower than in said reaction zone, whereby a fraction of said liquid carbonylation product is flashed off from said carbonylation product solution; and recycling said unflashed off liquid carbonylation product solution into said reaction zone, the improvement which comprises feeding carbon monoxide gas, at a pressure of between about 2 psia and about 30 psia and a temperature of between about 100° C. and about 150° C., into said separation zone simultaneously with said carbonylation product solution whereby said rhodium halide is not precipitated from said carbonylation product solution in said separation zone.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 209 words
In a carbonylation process which includes reacting an alcohol with carbon monoxide in the presence of dissolved rhodium halide in a reaction zone maintained at a pressure in the range of between about 100 psia and about 750 psia and at a temperature in the range of between about 75° C. and about 275° C., wherein a liquid carbonylation product solution is obtained; conveying said liquid carbonylation product solution to a separation zone, said separation zone maintained at a total pressure of between about 15 psia and about 45 psia and a temperature of between about 100° C. and about 150° C., with the proviso that the total pressure and temperature in said separation zone is lower than in said reaction zone, whereby a fraction of said liquid carbonylation product is flashed off from said carbonylation product solution; and recycling said unflashed off liquid carbonylation product solution into said reaction zone, the improvement which comprises feeding carbon monoxide gas, at a pressure of between about 2 psia and about 30 psia and a temperature of between about 100° C. and about 150° C., into said separation zone simultaneously with said carbonylation product solution whereby said rhodium halide is not precipitated from said carbonylation product solution in said separation zone.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 104 words
A process in accordance with claim 19 wherein said reaction zone is maintained at a pressure in the range of between about 300 psia and about 500 psia and at a temperature in the range of between about 160° C. and about 200° C.; said separation zone is maintained at a total pressure in the range of between about 20 psia and about 40 psia and at a temperature in the range of between about 120° C. and about 140° C.; and said carbon monoxide gas introduced into said separation zone contributes a partial pressure of between about 4 psia and about 28 psia.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 103 words
A process in accordance with claim 20 wherein said reaction zone is maintained at a pressure in the range of between about 380 psia and about 420 psia and at a temperature in the range of between about 180° C. and about 190° C.; said separation zone is maintained at a total pressure in the range of between about 20 psia and about 25 psia and a temperature in the range of between about 125° C. and about 135° C.; and said carbon monoxide gas introduced into said separation zone contributes a partial pressure of between about 10 psia and about 26 psia.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim 14 words
A process in accordance with claim 21 wherein said rhodium halide is rhodium iodide.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim 12 words
A process in accordance with claim 22 wherein said alcohol is methanol.

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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1996-08-16 1997-02-15 1997-08-17 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2000-08-16 2001-02-15 2001-08-17 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2004-08-16 2005-02-15 2005-08-17 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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